PLAYER RATINGS: Cole Palmer stars for Chelsea, with Mykhailo Mudryk keeping Arsenal on their toes… but David Raya has a night to forget between the sticks in thrilling 2-2 London derby draw

• Chelsea and Arsenal ends all square as the Gunners come from 2-0 down 
• Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk had put Chelsea in control at Stamford Bridge
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’ 

Arsenal fought back from 2-0 down to take a point from Stamford Bridge as Chelsea blew the chance to make it three Premier League wins in a row. 

Cole Palmer gave the home side the lead 15 minutes into the match, after VAR ruled that William Saliba handled the ball in the box, allowing the former Man City star to open the scoring from the spot. 

Moments after the break Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross-come shot somehow found it’s way past David Raya and it put the Blues in control of the London derby. 

However, Robert Sanchez’s sloppy back pass allowed Declan Rice to get the Gunners back into the game before substitute Leandro Trossard popped up to give Mikek Arteta’s side a share of the spoils. 

Here, Mail Sport rates the best and the worst on display at Stamford Bridge…  

Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea from the penalty spot following Saliba’s handball 

Mudryk made it 2-0 with a cross-shot that looped over David Raya and put Chelsea in control 

Leandro Trossard completes the comeback after Arsenal come from 2-0 down to draw level 

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CHELSEA- (4-3-3)

ROBERT SANCHEZ: 5

His sloppy pass got Arsenal back into the match and ruined the Chelsea performance.

MALO GUSTO: 7

Sprightly in both attack and defence — and the reason for Oleksandr Zinchenko’s early substitution. But was asleep on the left post for Leandro Trossard’s equaliser.

THIAGO SILVA: 8

A leader at the back, the first to any errant ball in his area. Will be puzzled to have walked away with two goals conceded.

LEVI COLWILL: 7

Paired well with Silva, following the veteran’s orders. Did not give the opposition scraps to feed off.

MARC CUCURELLA: 8

Played out of his skin. Particularly evident by marshalling Bukayo Saka out the game. No small feat.

Robert Sanchez was at fault for Arsenal’s first goal as his sloppy back pass fell to Declan Rice 

Chelsea had strong performances at both ends of the pitch from Thiago Silva (left) and Cole Palmer (right)

CONOR GALLAGHER: 7.5

Did not stop running all match. Full of energy.

MOISES CAICEDO: 7.5

Made it difficult for Declan Rice in the midfield battle. Produced the foundations in the middle.

ENZO FERNANDEZ: 7

Aided Caicedo effectively, dispersing play across the pitch.

COLE PALMER: 8.5

Played with a real confidence, brushing past players with his dribbling skill and pace. Scored the penalty to kick his team off.

RAHEEM STERLING: 7.5

Showed glimpses of his best on that right flank, showing his class particularly in the first half.

MYKHALIO MUDRYK: 7.5

Made good darting runs forward which put the Arsenal backline under pressure. Topped off with a goal.

Mudryk seeks the adulation of the Chelsea fans as his goal put the home side 2-0 up 

SUBS

NICOLAS JACKSON: 6

Had a late chance to win the match.

ARSENAL (4-3-3)

DAVID RAYA: 4.5

Awful positioning resulted in conceding to Mudryk. Also looked shaky on the ball at times.

BEN WHITE: 6.5

Overlapped well with Saka on the right flank. On another night would have had more to show for this.

WILLIAM SALIBA: 5.5

His handball off Sterling’s cross was spotted by VAR to result in a Chelsea penalty. A lacklustre display from a top-quality defender.

GABRIEL: 6

No clear moments of note or calamity.

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO: 5

Both Sterling and Gusto caused him problems which massively affected his positioning. No surprise to see him hooked off at half-time.

MARTIN ODEGAARD: 5.5

Largely overshadowed in the middle, not helped by his side’s struggle to get play up the pitch for the first hour.

DECLAN RICE: 7

His quality finish from distance off Sanchez’s poor kick got his team back into the game. Crucial, crucial moment.

Rice’s impressive finish from Sanchez’s back pass got Arsenal back into the London derby 

JORGINHO: 5.5

Struggled in midfield and often found himself overwhelmed.

BUKAYO SAKA: 6.5

Frustrated with the tackles and kicks to the leg by Cucurella. But provided the crucial cross for Trossard’s equaliser.

GABRIEL JESUS: 5.5

Had one slight chance after 26 minutes, though not much else at all.

GABRIEL MARTINELLI: 6.5

Arsenal’s most likely avenue in attack. Did not stopping willing his team forward.

SUBS:

LEANDRO TROSSARD: 7

Finished the equaliser in a composed manner under sheer pressure.

Another super sub moment for Leandro Trossard as he levels the scoring at Stamford Bridge 

TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU: 6.5

Helped push his side forward in the transition from attack to defence.

EDDIE NKETIAH: 6

Put Sanchez under pressure and put in a shift as usual.

MANAGERS:

MIKEL ARTETA: 6.5

Made just the one change at half-time, waiting until the 68th minute to make further substitutions. Though it worked, with Trossard having scored the equaliser.

The two managers had to settle for a point a piece as Chelsea and Arsenal fought out a draw 

MAURICIO POCHETTINO: 7

His defence was superb — until Sanchez’s error. May rue taking Mudryk and Palmer off early.

REFEREE:

CHRIS KAVANAGH: 5.5

Missed Saliba’s handball which was adjudged by VAR as a penalty.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

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